Archive for September 4th, 2006

Steve Irwin, better known as The Crocodile Hunter, was killed today. His heart was punctured by the barb from a short-tailed stingray while filming footage for his television show.

I always wondered when this would happen. But I always thought it would be a result of a miscalculation with a violent, gory death. But apparently, these sting rays are fairly docile and he was actually riding its back when the event happened. The sting from a sting ray’s barb, which can grow up to 5 inches long, is rarely fatal to humans. I heard on the news that it had been more than 60 years since an Australian was killed by a sting ray. But the barb slipped under Irwin’s ribcage and punctured his heart.

Watching a repeat episode of Larry King Live tonight featuring Steve Irwin, he stated that he trusted animals more than humans. At least an animal won’t stab you in the back. Almost a foreshadowing statement, eh?